Responsibilities of Fatherhood

By: M. Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

98033

Subject: Fatherhood

Preached Originally:  06/21/98 - Rapid City, SD

 

I.  Introduction.

A.    What a blessing to be a father!

1.    wonderful to have a family & to know that my family is striving to serve the Lord!

2.    Biblical concept of the family has come under fire as of late!  We as members of the Lord's Body are in the minority when it comes to having families as God wants.

B.    Southern Baptists - wrong in many areas of religion - stood up for the Bible plan (God's plan) for how a family should be.

1.    statement made in June 11 edition of the Rapid City Journal.."A wife is to submit graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to Christ."

2.    Anthony Jordan - head of the committee who drafted this said, Divorce, homosexuality, abortion and abuse all tear at the fabric of the family.

C.   The definition of the family in society being changed.  Bible plan set forth that we need to follow if we wish to please God.

D.   What is one of the key elements in having a strong, stable, Godly family?  Having a father who is a leader in spiritual matters and in other family matters.

1.    today = Father's Day.  Very relevant lesson.

2.    Think for a moment of how fathers portrayed in society & in the entertainment world.

a.    Murphy Brown; Rosie O'Donnell; others = father's expendable.  At the least - an "optional attachment."

b.    Politically incorrect to suggest fathers a necessary element in the home.  Do so?  "insult all single working mothers."

E.    Annie E. Casey Foundation:  24% of America's children live in home w/o father.

1.    more mothers having children w/o marrying the father.

2.    More fathers leaving the family or not making themselves part of the family in the 1st place.

3.    as we have seen clearly, the trend is not favorable toward God's plan.

4.    Sad that people discard the bible as being impractical for society.

F.    Most compelling evidence for the need of fathers and the importance of their role found in Scripture.  Ex. In Proverbs…

1.    The father is to be the provider for his family.

a.    Prov. 19:14; 13:22

2.    to maintain the home by setting boundaries.

a.    Prov. 22:28

3.    We will get into these subjects more thoroughly as we get into the lesson. 

a.    remember, the Bible should be the standard that we go by for guidance in our life.  What it says is what we should strive to live by

b.    let us understand the honor and responsibility of fatherhood.

 

II.  The Responsibility and Obligation of Fatherhood.

A.    Becoming a father brings forth certain obligations.

1.    "Obligation" defined:  (1) the act of binding oneself by a moral, social, or legal tie.  (2) a binding responsibility, as a contract or a promise. (3) indebtedness to another for a favor granted.

2.    The role of fatherhood is to be taken seriously!

B.    The father has a responsibility to his wife - the mother.  What are some of those responsibilities?

1.    Gen. 2:24; Eph. 5:31 - to leave & cleave.

a.    what does this mean?  Father needs to consider himself no longer under authority of his parents - should give undivided faithfulness to the union he has formed w/his wife.

b.    Father needs to stand up & be the leader in the home!  To do anything less is to weaken the bond between H & w & rest of family.

c.     Something God has expected from beginning.

2.    Eph. 5:25 - father is to love his wife.  Notice also the parallel passage in Col. 3:19

a.    easily understood principle.  If I didn't love her, I wouldn't marry her…

b.    after few years, husband lose affection for wife & b/c unhappy.  Col. 3:19 - don't be bitter.

c.     Eph. 5:28-29 - further degree of this…

1.    it is my responsibility to cherish my wife.

2.    Leading cause of divorce stems from one spouse b/c more interested in themselves more than the other.

3.    Father/husband to realize that wife/mother part of him  Father/husband should have same care for comfort of wife as he does for himself.

d.    loving/cherishing one's wife will be repaid by happiness and her love for him.

3.  Eccl. 9:9a - live joyfully with her.

a.    promote her happiness.  Work at it.

b.    Work together looking forward to eternity with God and enjoying cheerfully the joys God gives us while on earth.

4.  1 Pet. 3:7 - to honor her.

a.    how?  By becoming her protector & her support.

b.    Honor from Greek wd., "time" (tee-may) also symbolizes "maintenance" as well as respect.  I.e., maintain, provide for the wife.

c.     Should live together in a manner to prevent contention.  This is a responsibility of the father - do we promote contention or work to prevent it?

d.    Prov. 31:28 - talking about the virtuous wife.

C.   Father's Responsibilities to Children.

1.    Realize the value of children!

a.    Gen. 33:5 - children a gracious gift from the Lord.

b.    Psa. 127:3 - children are a heritage from God!  They are a reward from Him.

c.     Psa. 127:5 - happy is the man who has them!

1.    can't tell you how much happiness Emmy brings into my life.

2.  To set the proper example.

a.    if I make it my goal/aim to serve God - children will see this!  Visa-versa

b.    Biblical example of poor example…

1.    1 Kings 14:21-24 - Rehoboam

2.    1 Kings 15:1, 3 - evil actions continued by Abijam.

c.     Israel as it continued to progress through time set poor example for children

1.    idolatry, harlotry, crime, etc.

2.    Ezekiel's admonition in 20:18-20…

3.    Children responsible for their own actions.  But, parents have a responsibility to influence children for good to obey God.  How can one expect child to obey God when we won't?

d.    Eph. 6:4 - exhortation of Paul.  Can be an example by submitting to the Lord.

3.  To correct/train children.

a.    Eph. 6:4 - responsibility to nurture/admonish them.

b.    "nurture" means: "breeding, education, & training."  Also, the whole training and education which relates to the cultivation of mind & morals, and employs for this purpose now commands, and admonition, now reproof, and punishment.

1.    responsible for their education - either by sending to public school or to home supported college!

a.    not work of the church.

b.    Prov. 22:6; Deut. 6:6-9

c.  to correct or punish for wrong doing.

1.    Modern thought: corporal punishment stifles initiative; creates frustration.  Not so!  Discipline:

a.    produces response toward authority

b.    laxity in home paves way for misbehavior.  Could this be why such disrespect for order in society?

c.     Brings forth well ordered family

d.    Essential to well being of a child.

2.    Discipline a Biblical principle.

a.    Prov. 3:12; 29:17

b.    Eph. 6:4; Prov. 22:6

d.  discipline/training the responsibility of the father. Are you neglecting this responsibility?

4.  To provide spiritual instruction.

a.    Deut. 6:4-7 - expected of Israelites.  Why?

1.    so that subsequent generations would follow God.

2.    So that subsequent generations would be blessed.

b.    Eph. 6:4 - same expected of us today for the same reasons.

c.     What more important to do than to bring children up spiritually?

1.    many consider this to be not important.

5.  To be kind to them & to provide for their material needs.

a.    Psa. 103:13 - pity = to show mercy upon.  Self explanatory.

b.    Must provide for families needs…

1.    1 Tim. 5:8 - explain text.

2.    2 Cor. 12:14

 

III.  Families Responsibilities to Honor the Father.

A.    the wife is to honor the husband.  How?

1.    2 Cor. 11:3 - by acknowledging him as the head of the family.

a.    a principle laughed at by modern society.  "Backward" thinking.

b.    A principle set into motion by God from very beginning.

1.    Gen. 2:20-25 - woman created out of man for a life of unity & fellowship of life w/the man.

2.    1 Pet. 3:1-2; 5-6 - principle carried through into NT times & today.  If I wish to be a NT Christian I need to consider & apply this teaching.

2.  Eph. 5:22-24; 33 - must respect husband & submit to him.

B.    Eph. 6:1 - children to honor the father.

1.    Is this an important factor?

2.    This is a duty imposed on young people/children by Almighty God!

a.    i.e., do what your parents tell you to do.

b.    Why?  B/c it is important to the order of a family.

c.     Why? Your welfare depends upon it.

d.    Why? Because your parents know best.

3.    in the Lord - you are to submit to them as long as their direction is in accordance with God's word.

a.    in this case - God to be obeyed rather than man.

4.    notice phrase - for this is right.

a.    why?  Children owe a debt of gratitude to parents for what they have done for them.

b.    To listen to them is good for yourself.

5.    6:2-3 - do it so that you might be blessed.  You'll be glad you did!

 

IV.  Conclusion.

A.    Don't let anyone tell you that father not important.  Father's aren't expendable.

B.    We see that father plays a key role in the family as God would have it.

1.    father should bring forth element of stability, leadership, and influence for good in all matters?

2.    The father should serve as an example for spiritual good for not only his children but to his wife.

C.   Let us understand the Bible teaching on the matter.  Make application on the matter in our lives.

D.  I N V I T A T I O N